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among salary scales, economy and productivity. Is there any relationship<br />
among these factors?<br />
4. BEE in the ICT sector<br />
What is BEE? It is not an easy concept to define. It embraces involvement of blacks<br />
in the South African economy as whole. A further question will be the scope of<br />
blacks. This is defined by the SDA and EEA.<br />
After apartheid era South Africa finds itself in situations where there is a huge<br />
imbalances of the distribution of wealth. This is a challenge that needs to be faced and<br />
rectified.<br />
Different strategies have been developed to address this challenge. These include<br />
legislation in skills development, gender discrimination, BEE and many others. These<br />
strategies are also helping South African democracy to grow and compete with that of<br />
other countries.<br />
In its struggle to strengthen its democracy, South Africa look at various economic<br />
sectors including ICT. ICT charter is in its way to rectify economic problems of the<br />
country. In this charter BEE is seen as one of the key success to the ICT sector. Why<br />
ICT charter? This is the document that will help in the facilitation and monitoring<br />
process of implementing BEE in ICT sector.<br />
Is South Africa as a country winning in addressing BEE in the ICT sector?<br />
In the ICT charter, there are three phases to the implementation of BEE in the<br />
sector. These phases are :<br />
- Phase one (1994 –1999), experimental and touch of the realities and<br />
challenges. Brian Khumalo, CEO of Leaders Unlimited sees this phase as<br />
the SWOT analysis phase with establishment of BEE Commission, BEE<br />
procurement policy, commencement of privatisation and establishment of<br />
various organisations such as Ntsika, UYF, and many others.<br />
- Phase two (1999 – 2003), This a time of debates from government<br />
representatives, representatives of the ICT sector dominated by the issues,<br />
elitism and enrichment versus real empowerment. Brian explains this is<br />
phase as Strategic objective and goal setting era starting in 2002. This the<br />
time of the development of ICT charter and debates to achieve<br />
implementation of the BEE in ICT.<br />
- Phase three (2004 – onwards), era of cooperation from the industry and<br />
measurability of BEE indicators. Brian explains this as an implementation<br />
era. This is the time when the sector will be monitored by legislation on<br />
compliance of the BEE. During this time the sector will be serious in<br />
implementing BEE. Employers who resisted and put blind eye during the<br />
first and the second phase will be running around to ensure compliance.<br />
4